Hendry wins again at HUPcc Scottish Cyclocross Series round two
On a warm, sunny autumnal day in Aberdeenshire, Harriet Hendry made it two wins from two as the cyclocross season gathers pace.
Knockburn Loch returned to the fold, with Deeside Thistle putting together a fun but testing course, a mixture of twisty tree-lined sections, a sand run up and that dreaded ski hill climb ensuring the cream would rise to the top on Royal Deeside.
In the Female race that would be Harriet Hendry, as she backed up victory at Brechin with a great win at round two, despite having to deal with a mechanical en route – she’s clearly enjoying the fast conditions – can anyone stop her at Camperdown? Evie Steed and Daphne Jones were the two travelling riders who would make it a great race for the win.
In the Junior race, Emma Campbell would also double up with another win, fifth overall, whilst Laura Murray was a new name in the Female 40s, the former international road racer making a successful return to racing in the cyclocross field. She would best Janine Inman and Maddy Pope by a healthy margin. In the 50s and 60s there were familiar winners in the form of Caroline Harvey and Helen Winton.
In one of the best battles of the day, Leo Walsh turned the tables on Sam Kingan in the Youth B Open to make it one win a piece after the opening two rounds of the series, whilst Josh Stewart made it back-to-back wins in the Youth A equivalent. In the Youth B Female race classy duo Isla Reekie and Eilidh Scally once again took the top two podium spots, whilst Boo Williams improved on her Brechin performance to take a fine third place. In the Youth A Female it was Emie Smith who was a clear winner on the day, turning the tables on Ella McQueen from round one.
In the Senior Open, despite not having a certain Cameron Mason at round two, the depth was perhaps the strongest it has been in a number of years, with Brechin runner-up Grant Scott having to settle for fifth place.
Returning from long-term breathing problems, Reuben Oakley showed why he was part of the GB MTB setup, a classy ride seeing him get the better of regular SCX guest Will Weatherill, whilst former Scottish Hill Climb Champ and Aberdeen University student Sam Carrotte completed the podium.
One of the rides of the day was Deeside’s Oliver Carter, who after Oakley was the only other rider to ride the run-up; quite the feat! He would win the Juniors by over two minutes, riding through to fourth overall. In the 40s, there was a similar winning margin for Rob Friel - organiser of round four at Aberfoyle – he also rode through to finish eighth overall.
First off on the day were the Master 50 & 60 Open riders, and it was great to see someone testing serial winner Dougie Cameron. Marcus Illingworth would lead the way until lap three, when Dougie would take over and take, by his standards, a narrow victory; third went to Douglas Sharp.
Brechin co-organiser Neill Raitt would waste no time showing his rivals the kind of form he is in, a killer second lap seeing him go clear and never look back. The other podium spots would go to Rob Nicholson and John Bremner.
The U12s, U10s and U8s once again had a cracking wee course of their own, which included a trip through the beach volleyball courts – an amazing feature that put their skills to the test!
Big thanks to Deeside Thistle - particularly Kathleen Fraser and Neill Scott – it was great to have Knockburn back in the Series and some brilliant tweaks to a classic course.
You have until midnight (12/10/25) to enter the National Trophy at Falkirk – click here
Round three of the SCX is at Camperdown in Dundee on Sunday 26th October – enter here
